Finesse
A reaction often heard during press days is a long sigh followed by a "not so exciting this year". 2012 seems going to be the year of the B-segment. Exciting? Not necessarily. Important and interesting? Definitely. Within one year a whole new pack of models will hit the market. The competition is on! BMW 1 Series, Mercedes A Class, Audi A3 and later this year the VW Golf.
Let's not forget the the Volvo, a swedish underdog. A first step into the new V40. A car that surprises in the detail. A lot of finesse in color and material. I take a look in the rear view mirror and wonder what is missing. It is the frameless glass that impresses. Lots of advanced touches throughout the interior. Definitely not a b-movie this scandinavian chinese.
-Matt.
Not so sure whether Volvo should be rated -in general- as underdog. The quality interiors have impressed me over years, being ergonomically sound, comfortable and luxurious with a clean, typically Swedish touch. Solid, safe and consistent looking yet really beautiful. Some 'premium' German OEMs operating in the same price range could learn a bit here.
Is the B-segment circus exclusively a German premium brand game? To name a few 'underdogs', the 208 and i30 will also be strong contenders this year.
Posted by: Geert | 2012.05.08 at 01:42 AM
@Geert: +1
Posted by: Rik | 2012.05.08 at 06:39 AM